The importance of Sun Protection

The importance of Sun Protection

It’s the time of year where we all want to bask in the sun for the ultimate glow. It’s also our main concern since we’re all aware of the damage caused by overexposing the skin to sun with little to no protection. Although we’re all aware of the importance of wearing an SPF, it can also prove to be extremely confusing on where to start as well as finding the right SPF for the best protection.

SPF stands for sun protection factor and essentially refers to the amount of protection a product offers against the sun’s damaging rays. The factor number also alludes to the extra time you are able to spend in the sun until your skin becomes affected.

Wearing an SPF is crucial to not only keep skin cancer at bay, but as an effective anti-aging tool to prevent fine lines, loss of firmness, pigmentation and wrinkles. SPF is not limited for those heated Summer days, in fact it’s a suitable product to use all year round to protect the UV rays that penetrate the clouds. “The benefits are for most people is the prevention of skin cancer, and for those that don't care, because believe it or not, there are people that don't care about that, then it's beauty. Most people care about beauty, they care about their appearance. They use sunscreen to reduce collagen decay, because you want to keep that baby fresh, bouncy, rosy, translucent complexion from head to toe” Dr. Harold Lancer, dermatologist.

Thankfully, the formulations for SPF have come a long way from the opaque, chalky, pore-blocking products. You can now shop super-lightweight stand alone sun protection formulas or make up and beauty products that offer the beauty benefits as well as the sun protection, such as Avant Skincare’s Ceramide Soothing & Protective Day Cream SPF 20 -A potent, free radical-fighting blend that neutralises the effects of everyday exposure to environmental aggressors – preventing irreparable DNA damage, to maintain your skin’s youthful bloom. With a featherweight texture, this non-greasy Day moisturiser formulated with SPF 20 leaves no trace – absorbing within seconds to quench skin’s thirst and create an impenetrable veil which seals moisture and nutrients in, while deflecting the harmful effects of pollutants, and preventing loss of firmness.

It’s vital that those with fairer complexions should always opt for a high factor cream, but those with olive and darker skin tones should also ensure they are protected to avoid skin damage.

As a rule, Dermatologists recommend that every skin tone and type use an SPF15 or SPF30 sunscreen on all their exposed areas, so slather on your favourite SPF and let the sun worshipping begin!